European captain Luke Donald’s leadership skills caught the eye of the leader of the free world amid the presidential pageantry of the opening day of the Ryder Cup.
Donald Trump president proved to be the most exciting part of the American spectators’ day when he arrived at Bethpage Black to cheers of ‘USA,’ despite his country’s nightmare start.
Europe blitzed the morning foursomes 3-1 before withstanding a late USA rally in another dominant afternoon session to take a commanding 5.5-2.5 lead into the second day.
However, undeterred by Europe’s dominance, Trump, who took center stage from behind a glass screen on the first tee grandstand, showed no ill will towards the USA’s rivals.
As he transformed the tournament into the Trump show, the 79-year-old greeted every player – irrelevant of their team – as they emerged from the tunnel.
And he had kind words for Donald, who is captaining Europe for the second time, as the Englishman revealed what the president said to him.
European captain Luke Donald revealed Donald Trump complimented him at the Ryder Cup
The president received a raucous reception when he arrived at Bethpage Black on Friday
‘I saw Mr. President and shook his hand and said hello, and he said, “You know what, you’re becoming a real great leader.” It was nice of him to say that,’ Donald told reporters following Friday’s whitewash.
‘It was nice of him to support this event.’
After the success of Friday’s demolition, Donald has opted to keep all four of his pairings together in their foursomes rematch on day two.
However, somewhat more surprising his Team USA captain Keegan Bradley’s lone change to his lineup.
Even Trump – ready to step into action if needed with his golf shoes on – could provide a divine intervention for Bradley’s embattled men.
But despite being left red-faced, Bradley stuck to his guns for Saturday’s quest for redemption.
Bryson DeChambeau and Cam Young will lead the USA’s comeback charge at 7:10am local time, taking on the European pairing of Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick.
Bafflingly, the partnership is the only variation from Bradley’s opening pairings with Young replacing Justin Thomas alongside the big-hitting DeChambeau.
Keegan Bradley and Team USA suffered a 301 drubbing in the opening foursomes session
‘We’re sticking to our plan,’ he told reporters after Friday’s drubbing. ‘We’re not going to panic. We’re not going to panic and make those sort of mistakes. We’re going to stick to what we know.
Meanwhile, Collin Morikawa and Harris English, despite a 5&4 slaughter at the hands of Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, will return to face Europe’s beloved ‘Fleetwood Mac’ once again.
They will be followed by the USA’s lone winners from the opening clashes as Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay reunite in attempt to take down the fiery combination of Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who continued their unbeaten streak from Rome.
Rounding out the session, Viktor Hovland and Robert MacIntyre – Europe’s only losing match from Friday’s foursomes – will face Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley as the world No 1 looks to redeem himself after an 0-2 start at Bethpage.
